I Can Choose The Beauty

I woke this morning, the Sun peaking around the corners of my blinds.  The same parrots that have greeted me since my youth laughed outside my window.  My dogs, each vying for position, began jumping up on the bed as if there was a race to see who could be pet first or receive a greater share of my love.  I made my coffee looking out at the San Gabriels as I have done thousands of times before.  Last week’s heat wave, broken for now, gave way to a gorgeous blue sky with just a few puffy white clouds to provide contrast.  I could feel life force soaring within me.

Driving in to work seemed a shame on a day this beautiful but, I have bills to attend to and clients, that I care about, who will need me today.  Technology conspiring against me; I discover my tools are not working as they should.  It doesn't even faze me inside.  I grumble, just loud enough so that my boss will know how “disappointed” I am, not being able to do the work I had scheduled.  Secretly coveting this opportunity to read a few pages of book ten in the “Wheel of Time” series, enjoy my iced tea, and do a little writing.

Billie Holliday serenades my soul with haunting ‘melodies, of days gone by’.  A text or two from my best friend and a chance to breathe a little for a change; who says Mondays have to be all gloom and doom?  I answer a few e-mails, make a few calls and wonder why they call this work.

Next week I travel to Texas to do an installation and training.  I hope to get a chance to meet up with some friends while I am there.  Travel is my favorite part of the job.  I go, I see, I meet, I share, I learn, I come home, I love it.

This isn’t a diary entry.  This isn’t poetry nor a short story.  This is a snapshot of a day that I could have complained about.  It is a declaration of satisfaction that I chose otherwise.  It is a reminder for myself if the occasion arises later for me to forget these simple lessons: 1) enjoy the sunrise 2) love is there 3) smile when things go wrong 4) there is much to look forward to.

I can choose the beauty of contentment.

Roger H. P. Clark

The Necromata

A Cycle Begins

Photo by Gary Gonnella

Out of passion, light is spawned 

The Angels sing of that potential 

The light enters the world 

And the universe marvels at this rare gift 

The light grows and reunites with kin 

In this union, reunion, joy begins 

One journey joins many 

And the cosmos trembles at the power of the joined 

The lights grow through loving bonds of unity 

Histories and inventions are made 

Songs and tears flow, poetry of sweet, sweet moments 

And the heavens know envy for the lives we lead 

A light flickers and fades, it's energy seems to wane 

Grief, a sense of loss from all those left behind 

Understanding fails, but memories and other bonds see us through 

And the Spirit of the Lord is among them, giving comfort and strength 

In time all earthly light dims from this world 

Traveling back to the source of all power and love 

In this union, reunion, joy begins anew 

The hosts of eternity sing exultant praise to the Creator 

Out of passion, light is spawned 

There is no ending, just a turning of the cycle 

No deaths, only arrivals, reunions and departures for new horizons 

We are eternal and eternally bound; through the grace God 

A cycle begins

"As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."

Roger H. P. Clark

The Necromata

Raise Up Your Banner

Through many years

And journeys long

We shared the taste

Of tears and song

If you should stumble

I'll lend a hand

That you might lift

Yourself again

Though paths confound

And all roads wind

The miles between

Cannot divide

And if I am needed

I'll double back

To help you get

Yourself on track

If others forsake you

And you see no allies

I will be your advocate

And stand by your side

If you feel defeated

If you fall or stammer

I will lift you up

I will raise your banner

And if dear friend

Through the darkest time

You see me falter

Please raise up mine

Roger H. P. Clark

The Necromata

I Will Not Let It In

I haven’t written anything new in several months

Pain and fatigue have plagued me

Soon the doctors will remove and biopsy two masses

And I know just what they’ll see

My mind is set to rejoice

For in two weeks I'll hear

The results of surgery and test

Knowing how right I was not to fear

I am healthy and strong

I‘ve renewed my dedication

To invigorate this life force

Existing without trepidation

I‘ll get back into the gym

Working much harder everyday

Giving glory to my God

This tribute I will pay

Though other thoughts assail me

The vow is made to win

If doubt comes knocking on my door

I Will Not Let It In

Time to man up and live the way I speak.  No excuses.  No retreat.  The check is due.

It's There

Wandering
Still seeking some sign
Chasing after something
I can't seem to find

Search for satisfaction
In lovers and in friends
All the while knowing
The answer is within

Victory  exists somewhere
But how to set it free?
The truth is, it's ephemeral
As sunbeams or a breeze

There is no worldly logic
No tidy bow or tie
When other try to tell me so
I say it is a lie

Hear the wisdom of your heart
To lead you from dispair
You've finaly solved the riddle
Trust in God's voice, find it there






Discovery comes from introspection and meditation. The Maggavagga states "Wisdom springs from meditation; without meditation wisdom wanes..." Elijah described the voice of God as a "Still Small Voice". The Psalmists said to "Be still and know that I Am God." I have often driven myself crazy trying to find answers I already have. God is in me, always with me. I Am never separated from God's grace. The answers are ours. We just need to let them reveal themselves.

Revolution

Here we sit across the table

Hands upon each other's throats

Nervous fingers, twitching triggers

Politics incite the hoax

 In the streets the people scramble

Hatred sparks and lights the fuse

Revolution!  Revolution!

Hide at home and watch the news

I look around and despair is all I see

I close my ears to the lies their tellin' me

I know somehow there must be a better way

Awake! Awake! Can't you hear me now I'm prayin'

Love's the one and soul solution

That could change the rising tide

Cut out all the noise pollution

Breaking walls of foolish pride

Now lock hands and join the circle

Violence turned obsolete

Revolution! Revolution!

People dancing in the street

Dear God

Dear God,

Our people suffer
They cry out
Lamenting their lives

I will not shrink
I will not falter
In prayer nor praise



I beseech you father
Give us strength
A glimpse of hope

A vision that we
Might survive this difficult time
A sign that we may endure

I have been unworthy
Cleaned only by the sacrifice on Golgotha
But, here I kneel none the less

Imperfect, impure, yet unashamed
I am brought to you
I have been redeemed

As such I use my authority
I call upon you to honor that covenant
Given to Eve so long ago

I am your child
I am brash
I am bold

Father please
A measure of your mercy
A legion; no, an army I ask

The liar temps your people
The scourge of man upon us
Now, NOW you are needed

Sweep away these foolish illusions
Expose the impostor
Open the eyes of the blind

Dear God,
I am just a man
Envied by Angels and Demons

I stand
I STAND
I SHALL NOT FALL

I SHALL NOT FALTER
Stand with me
Stand for me

Dear God

Making Me Stronger

I want to take a minute to thank
Some very special people for making me stronger

To the school yard bully
Who stole money from me
Made me afraid to come to school
Thank you
Today I am a warrior
I do not fear you or any man

To the cut up in class
Who saw me as a target
Tried to exploit my vulnerability
Thank you
Today my words are tools
I have learned to use them well

To the teacher
Who chose to ignore my potential
Relegated me to C level
Thank you
Today I expose false authority
I have learned to help others excel

To the animal
That took from me my innocence
Forced on me a terrible, secret burden
Thank you
Today I help remove filth from our streets
I have no shame, no secrets

To those who have wronged me
Lied to me, hurt or maligned me
Thank you
Today I have grown into a man
Unafraid, armored, and righteous


I am a victor, not a victim
I know my strength can help others
I love even my enemies
I have learned what real friends are
I will fight for them and for myself

Thank you all
With out you
I could not be the man I am
I could not have evolved
I might have no reason for pride

We are created by the divine
Tested by adversity
When we discover the "I Am"
We have evolved
True human beings




For those of you who have been my friends and family through it all thank you for being the water that cools and tempers steel.  Special thanks to my best friend, teacher, and peer A.K.A.

America

I am America

I represent all beliefs

I am the result of injustice and oppression

I am the product of belief in something more

You are America

Your voice can shatter walls

You have freedom of choice and a responsibility to chose

You are the author of your own destiny

We are America

We fight to be better

We are living promise, paid for in blood, tears and sweat

We are hope, desire and limitless potential

We are America

We have a common destiny

We must encourage freedom and liberty for all

We still have a long way to go

"For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48

A Prayer of Thanks

Thank you mother

For bearing me in your womb

And fighting to educate me

Loving me, believing in me

I will believe in myself and succeed

That your sacrifice is not in vain

Thank you father

For teaching me

And making me tough

Breaking me down, so that no one else could

I will be strong and protect others

So your honor is not forgotten

Thank you ancestors

For showing me the way

And giving me a rich history

Hard work, faith and sacrifice

I will teach the generations to come

That your legacy shall not pass into shadow

Thank you Lord Jesus

For dying for my sin

And granting me mercy

Bridging the gap between life and death

I will live my faith

So others shall see you in me

Thank you Father God

For giving me life

And shaping me in your image

Bringing forth the divine spark

When they ask who has sent me

I shall say “I Am”

You must do more than say thank you with your lips; you must show it in your life.